AWI 40mm gaming anyone ? Updated

[MiniPigs]

No matter how much choice there is, there will always be something missing. Someone, somewhere will want figures with or without gaiters or with or without lace details etc.  I have seen collectors with thousands and thousands of Napoleonic figures still lament not having some unit in some special uniform. Some of these details really aren't important outside of the imagination of the collector's peace of mind.

It is true that sometimes too much choice interferes with the collector's imagination. From an aesthetic point of view, every figure in a different physical pose can be as disturbing as everyone in the same pose.  Even for irregulars, too much variety can cause visual anxiety. I personally like a little bit of pose differentiation to create flow but I am not generally interested in a unit possessing either all one position or almost all different positions. This is because I like small "unit" actions as opposed to individual skirmish characters.

Who can focus on a good paint job if their eye is busy taking in the confusion of the unit's physical poses? It is true that there is the option of conversions but aside from that, some scarcity can be endearing and force both thought and planning in how to assemble and present units.

Back, to conversions. You may not be able to convert and if you are not skilled at this, it can prove expensive. Further, if you get figures painted by others, conversions can prove risky. Some figures cannot be created at all or require too much time to convert. Also, some conversion only take a new head set and a manufacturer can easily make those if they want too.

Some of the criticisms here aren't about choices but about aesthetics. I agree that the Sash and Sabre 40mm AWI are generally too crude for the period (Although very nice for both the ACW and Napoleonic campaign looks) and I personally am not a huge fan of the Trident figures which can suffer from  some design and anatomy issues. Even Front Rank suffers from enormous and sometimes somewhat "stiff" horse poses.

How much this all matters resides in the heart of the collector but it may just be the concern of idle neurosis. For instance, before I got involved in 18mm, I read all the comparisons and reviews about what style and maker synced with which other maker etc. The amount of typing that goes on about this is astounding. It seems like whenever someone is going to start a new army in say Republican Romans, the first move is to find out everything that exists in terms of miniatures and then start to parse it down to which makers work in sympathy to each other. The anxiety and worry over this is truly terrifying. However, after going through these endless Internet comparisons with a recent renaissance army in 28mm and seeing that after they are all painted and based, it is almost completely unnoticeable, I care less about this than I did. Now, really, the only thing I find to be an issue is whether the miniatures lend themselves up to unit basing for wargaming.

[Lysandros]

 New England Militia

[Lysandros]

The buildings l use are scratch built and are large 30mm . They are raised so troops passing are below doors , windows etc.
True 40mm buildings l find dominate , overwhelm , if you try and fight large battles. I feel you loose the grand sweep of the landscape but granted are impressive.
Skirmish l feel would ideal for perfect for larger buildings .

[DintheDin]

These New England Militia are really a must-see!
Can't stop admiring them!
An exquisite piece of your collection! Cheers!

[ian220756]

The buildings l use are scratch built and are large 30mm . They are raised so troops passing are below doors , windows etc.
True 40mm buildings l find dominate , overwhelm , if you try and fight large battles. I feel you loose the grand sweep of the landscape but granted are impressive.
Skirmish l feel would ideal for perfect for larger buildings .

Oops !😂😂

[Lysandros]

Oops !😂😂

Your buildings are brilliant lan , 19 times BETTER than anything lv'e got .
You do award winning games that  thrill the eye .
My buildings are just fluff , that look ok in the landscape but are not a factor in the game. They have no purpose.
Yours combine as an asset , in some ways the centre piece , the magnificent fort , monastery  etc . Your doing it right as your numerous awards prove but l just do it a little different .
( I'm on a tractor  )

[Alan Mercer]

These are the 1st and 2nd Maryland that I painted last year and sold on, which I'm regretting now - although they did go for quite a profit!!

I can't decide on which is best, blue or white background.

[ian220756]

Beautiful paint job Alan - I’ve sold on many collections down the years - I regret all of them but needs must sometimes
Any news on our other little project ?
Ian

[Alan Mercer]

Thanks Ian. It's ticking along, but a longer timeframe due to the current situation.

[schoey]

The New England Militia are wonderful, reminds me to get my Spanish guerrillas finished.

Ian, the building is excellent, very impressive

Alan, the Maryland troops are wonderful, like the unit composition.

[jambo1]

Superb thread this, so much wonderful work on show, top notch all round!!

[MiniPigs]

I like the militia too. Who painted those?

 I also see what some of you are saying about the Trident 40mm figures. Their anatomy, faces and poses are awkward. Additionally, with the Trident militia figures, they are too individualistic which at first blush sounds an odd criticism for militia figures but even with militia, there is the concept of flow and symmetry. The Trident militia look too much like action heroes rather than nameless, faceless, generic militia which can be handsome in their own right.


Do you have any close up photos of the Front Rank British?

[Alan Mercer]

I don't mind the Trident figures, there's enough choice to be able to pick out what you want. There are some serious noses, but they paint up well enough. For me it is the cost of postage and the various customs and fees at the UK end that puts me off. 

[ian220756]

In our hobby we want as many variants as possible , but the Perry unis I have feature three basic poses and some Command - and I love them more than the Heinz 57 units I also own
Ian

[schoey]

Excellent British infantry, I only use a few poses plus command figures in line battalions, irregulars and artillery will have more poses.